hth
year of his age, at Rome, under Nero, in the general {210} persecution
of Christians upon the pretense that they set fire to the city. It
was from the instrument of his execution that the custom arose of
representing him in ecclesiastical art with a sword in his hand.

Penance.--In the early ages of the Church the commission of grievous
error in life or doctrine was, punished by exclusion from the
Communion of the Church; and in order to obtain readmission,
offenders were obliged to submit to a prescribed course of penitence.
The regulations as to the length and manner of this discipline
varied in different times and in the several branches of the Church;
the administration of it was chiefly in the hands of the Bishops.
It is this "godly discipline" to which reference is had in the
Commination Office in the Prayer-book of the Church of England, and
which is used "until the said discipline may be restored again,
which is much to be wished." Penance is also regarded as one of
the lesser Sacraments.

Penitential Office.--An office of deep devotion and contrition to
be used on Ash Wednesday, which was added to the Prayer-book at its
last revision in 1892. Its place in the service is during the latter
part of the Litany. It may be used on other days at the discretion
of the minister. (See ASH WEDNESDAY.)

Penitential Psalms.--Being the 6th, 32d, 38th, 51st, 102d, 130th
and 143d Psalms of David, all of which are read during the services
on ASH WEDNESDAY (which see). There are no prayers more fitted for
penitent sinners than the Seven Penitential Psalms, if we enter
into the feelings of compunction, {211} love, devotedness and
confidence with which the Royal Psalmist was penetrated. The purport
of each psalm may be briefly stated as follows:

Psalm 6 exhibits a sinner in earnest and hearty prayer after having
sinned, with assured hope and confidence in the mercy of God.

Psalm 32 shows how a sinner is brought to understand his sins, to
confess and bewail them and obtain remission.

Psalm 38, in which the penitent earnestly prays to God to pardon
his sins and mitigate his punishment.

Psalm 51 shows the great sorrow of a sinner for his sins.

Psalm 102 shows how a sinner in affliction of mind prays to God
and derives comfort from His help and goodness.

Psalm 130 shows how a sinner in tribulation cries to God for
deliverance; while

Psalm 143 may be used in any spiritual or temporal tribulation.

Pentecost.--